Building a roofing business around trust

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Sharing how industry roots, customer care and manufacturer support have shaped their approach to roofing. 

During this live Roofing Road Trips® interview from The Coffee Shops™ sound stage at the CertainTeed Business Builder Workshop in Chicago, Nate Holmes and Jenny Bowling discussed their paths into exterior construction. Their experiences have helped create a business culture centered on customer service, dependable products and professional relationships. 

How did your experience in the industry begin? 

Nate’s foundation in the trades began during childhood, when he worked alongside his father in the family construction business. Although he did not initially plan to continue in the industry, those early experiences ultimately shaped his career. He shared: 

“I worked for my dad when I was a kid. He had a construction company, so that was my background growing up. I hated working for him, he even had me working Sundays. I swore I would never do this, but I’ve now been in the industry for 12 years.” 

What began as reluctant childhood work became a long-term profession. Nate later opened his own company, bringing years of construction experience into a business focused largely on exterior remodeling and storm restoration. 

Jenny also grew up around roofing. Her father and uncle started a company after a Minnesota hailstorm, giving her an early view of the industry. Her first adult job involved selling exterior construction services after a 2006 hailstorm. 

Why has your professional partnership worked? 

Shared industry experience created a strong foundation for Nate and Jenny’s working relationship, but mutual respect helped turn that connection into a lasting professional partnership. Jenny explained that Nate’s character and approach to business made joining his team an easy decision. She shared, “Nate is someone I tremendously respect, both as a person and as a professional. There’s nowhere else I would rather work than right beside him.” 

That respect is reinforced by a friendship that developed through networking events and shared business circles. Nate recalled noticing Jenny’s energy and positive attitude from their first meeting, qualities that eventually made her a natural addition to the team. 

What guides your customer experience? 

For Nate, business decisions begin with the homeowner. Product selection, workmanship and communication all contribute to the experience customers have throughout a project. He stated, “We care more about homeowner experience than anything else and giving them a quality product.” 

That priority extends across inspections, repairs, remodeling, additions and custom home construction. Jenny explained that homeowners often need clear guidance when evaluating both products and service providers, making trust and transparency essential parts of the process. 

Their combined backgrounds give Nate and Jenny a practical understanding of homeowners, construction and the importance of trust. By pairing industry experience with a customer-first approach, they are building relationships that extend beyond an individual roofing project. 

Listen to the entire podcast to learn more about building a customer-focused roofing business!